Police warn of clampdown on cannabis cultivation
Nottinghamshire Police have launched ‘Not in My Neighbourhood', a month-long clampdown on cannabis cultivation.
Nottinghamshire Police have launched ‘Not in My Neighbourhood', a month-long clampdown on cannabis cultivation.
The force is taking action to tackle an increase in burglary and robbery, often with violence, linked to cannabis grows.
In 2013 there were 127 home invasions linked to cannabis - violence and injury was inflicted in 39 per cent of cases.
While some of the offences take place in homes where cannabis is being produced illegally a large number relate to innocent members of the community who suffer as a result of offenders targeting the wrong property.
Officers also believe people can be coerced into growing cannabis to repay debts. The grows are then set up to be stolen to perpetuate the cycle of debt.
The weeks of action, which sit under the Force's Alliance Against Violence campaign, will run until the end of October, will see enforcement work carried out as well as education and preventative measures.
Det Insp Mike Allen, said: "If you were asked to describe a cannabis factory I doubt you would describe an ordinary home on a leafy suburb.
"In reality we are seeing more and more residential properties becoming sites for large scale cannabis cultivation.
"Police will be acting on any intelligence that comes in and we are asking residents, postal workers, social workers, doctors making house visits or anyone out and about in their community to look out for the tell tale signs that could point to a cannabis factory. Be the eyes and ears of your community and report any suspicious behaviour to us. Help us weed out criminal activity. Don't let it happen on your doorstep."
http://www.chad.co.uk/news/crime/police-warn-of-clampdown-on-cannabis-cultivation-1-6866499 29/09/2014
S
Soft Secrets
